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Part of gardening involves dealing with the local wildlife. Even if you don’t see any living creatures in your yard, you will probably see evidence of their existence. One such clue is a hole or series of holes in the ground. These are the entrances to burrows created by small animals. Burrow entrances do not always set in the middle of a mound or have mounds of dirt next to the entrances. While the animals that make these burrows are usually more annoying than anything else, be aware that other more dangerous animals can take up residence in an empty burrow.

Ground Squirrels

If you do see mounds, chances are that you have pocket gophers, moles, voles or possibly rats, which can leave mounds of dirt next to the entrances to underground burrows. However, small holes in the ground without mounds could be the work of ground squirrels. Ground squirrels have a highly descriptive name; they live in burrows in the ground, as opposed to tree squirrels that live in trees. The entrance holes to a ground squirrel’s burrow are fairly large at about 4 inches in diameter, although this can differ between burrows. The openings are generally holes right in the ground, without mounding around the entrance.

Rattlesnakes

Small, furry animals might look cute, but they often serve as prey for other animals, including rattlesnakes. The burrows of these animals serve as handy homes for rattlesnakes, including those who are ready to give birth. Because the snakes simply take over existing burrows, they do not leave telltale signs or excavate more dirt. If you have holes that could be abandoned burrows in your yard, be extremely careful -- they could hide a bunch of baby rattlesnakes, which will bite you; rattlesnakes can strike targets several feet away. Rattlesnake venom does not become poisonous as the snake reaches adulthood; it already is poisonous even in baby snakes.

Cautions

The openings to burrows can be large enough to catch feet and make people trip, so if you are working in a yard that hasn’t been touched in a while, look where you are going as you walk through it. Be aware that overgrown brush that hides the ground can hide additional holes, and at different times of the year, ground squirrels can close off the burrow holes with soil.

Warning

If you suspect snakes might have taken over the burrows, the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program warns that trying to remove a rattlesnake yourself can result in a bite. The program advises either leaving the snake alone and seeing if it later moves out of your yard, or if you absolutely want it gone, calling a pest control company that specializes in removing rattlesnakes. The program suggests using chemical repellents and snake fences to exclude snakes from your yard, if you don’t want them getting in there in the first place.

About the Author

Suzanne S. Wiley is an editor and writer in Southern California. She has been editing since 1989 and began writing in 2009. Wiley received her master's degree from the University of Texas and her work appears on various websites.

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S., Suzanne. "Holes in the Ground With No Mounds." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/holes-ground-mounds-77215.html. Accessed 20 January 2019.

S., Suzanne. (n.d.). Holes in the Ground With No Mounds. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/holes-ground-mounds-77215.html

S., Suzanne. "Holes in the Ground With No Mounds" accessed January 20, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/holes-ground-mounds-77215.html

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